Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-07-08
MlLLER,s GIGANTIC STEAL.
Comp1ets Particulars of a Trusted
Treasurer's REGULATIONS.

Complies Particulars of n Trusted
Ireasurer's Populations.
C~ANNELToN, Ind, July THE county
seat of Perry county is in the widest con-
fusion over the knowledge that the coun-
ty treasurer, Hinton Miller, had de-
camped, a debtor to the county of SCI, 600
of its funds. The story of the defaica-
ton, as far as known, is as follows;
About six years ago John NJ. Coombs,
then treasurer OF Perry county, was dis
covered to have q shortage in his ac-
counts of about $50, 009. He was ar
rested and after several trials and hung
juries he restored about 81, 900 and was
sent to the p~enitentiary for one year. In
looking for a successor the peoples choice
fell upon Hinton Miller, of the firm of
WetdmaD 81 Miller. loggers and lumber
men, and q sterling business man. Mil
Ter was elected by nearly a thousand ma
Jority. He served four years with credit
and was reelected for a second term.
The law requires that the bond OF the
treasurer shall be signed by one hundred
persons, worth at least 81, 900 each.
Miller for some reason! found great diff
Guilty in procuring signatures, only OBJ
tanning twenty-six names. As the time
approached when he must file his bond
or resign, people began to talk. 1t is
known that he borrowed $40, 900 of. his
predecessor and receipted for it when he
assumed charge, thus beginning his term
that amount short, and which he in
vested in his business. But no one sus-
pacted the true condition OF affairs or an-
ticlpated the news that was made public.
Last Tuesday Miller came to this city to
dispose of several RATS OF lumber, which
he succeeded In doing at fair prices. He
was accompanied by his young wife, to
whom he has been married hut a short
time. He called on several acquaint-
ances, n appeared to be iE good spirits.
He left here Thursday night, ostensibly
Tor home, but it is now known that he
went to indianapolis. Tuesday morning
the Perrycounty officials received a letter
from him. inclosing the key and combina-
tion OF the treasurer's safe, and also q
letter in which he babe them all good-by,
vaguely limiting ct his crime.
A hurried examination OF his books
was made, and although not finished it
Is known that his theft will reach $685.
O0U II 1t does not exceed that amount.
The auditor OF Perry county has been
negleeting his report Of the school fund
and this was also among the funds taken.
Miller was net a Spectator, and was a
cautious and conservative man In all
business transactions, 50 that about all
that can be said is that Miller deliber-
ntely stole the amount aid has fled be-
yond the borders. No one knows his
whereabouts, but he IS probably In China
ere this, as he has had plenty OF time to
escape, Miller wa born and raised In
Perrg county and had a large family by
his first wife, some of whom are of age.
He was about 30 years of age and over
six feet in his stockings.
When the safe was opened 1t was
found to be full of old records and a few
coppers. Everything worth taking
seemed TO have disappeared. The safe is
built into the court house., which ac-
counts for its safety. 1t is stated that
Miller's bondsmen are not good for the
amount stolen.